Keegan starts £8m legal action against Newcastle over his exit

Thursday 4 December 2008 21.09 EST
First published on Thursday 4 December 2008 21.09 EST

Kevin Keegan has started an £8m legal action against Newcastle United over his departure from the club in September. The club's former manager is claiming he suffered constructive dismissal and the issue is due to be heard by a three-man Premier League panel.

Keegan believes he was effectively forced out of his job at St James' Park after players were allegedly bought and put up for sale without his say-so. "It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want," he said after leaving.

Newcastle argue that Keegan resigned and will fight his claim for millions of pounds which he says he is owed for the remainder of his contract. The league's tribunal can rule on the matter, although disagreements can be taken to the high court. A settlement between the parties remains a possibility. Keegan has been out of management since leaving Newcastle.